RUSH MD Anderson earned a three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer, or NAPRC. This quality initiative of the American College of Surgeons is awarded to programs with strong coordination across specialties, adherence to evidence-based standards and a consistent focus on patient-centered care.
Meeting the highest standards in rectal cancer care
NAPRC accreditation requires hospitals to meet 22 rigorous standards that shape every step of rectal cancer management, including:
- Accurate diagnosis and staging
- Collaboration among a multidisciplinary care team
- Individual treatment planning
- Excellence in surgery and pathology outcomes
- Ongoing quality improvement and long-term follow-up
Reaching this achievement depended on close collaboration among colon and rectal surgery, oncology, radiology, pathology and cancer program leadership — all working towards improved patient safety, reduced complications and care that reflects best practices.
“Earning this accreditation reflects the hard work and dedication of many teams,” said Julia Fletcher, senior manager of quality and accreditation for the RUSH MD Anderson cancer team. “It showcases our ongoing commitment to strengthen the systems that support patients and families throughout their treatment.”
A regional leader
RUSH MD Anderson is one of 122 centers nationwide to earn NAPRC accreditation. Within Illinois, it is one of just nine accredited programs — and one of only five located in the Chicago area.
This distinction places RUSH MD Anderson among a small group of hospitals in the region equipped to deliver rectal cancer care that meets nationally established standards.
“What differentiates RUSH MD Anderson is not only our ability to meet these standards, but the way we apply them every day,” says Henry Govekar, MD, chief of the division of colon and rectal surgery. “Our care teams are focused on improving outcomes, reducing complications and ensuring each patient receives the most effective rectal cancer treatment available.”
What this means for patients
Research from the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that patients treated at NAPRC-accredited centers experience:
- Lower in-hospital mortality
- Reduced 30-day mortality
- Fewer complications
Colorectal cancers remain among the most diagnosed cancers in the United States — and numbers are on the rise for adults younger than 50.
Younger patients are more likely to present with later-stage disease, making timely diagnosis and coordinated treatment even more critical.
NAPRC accreditation ensures that patients have access to a clearly structured care pathway — reducing the time between diagnosis and treatment.
For individuals and families facing a rectal cancer diagnosis, this means care delivered by an expert team that communicates seamlessly, reviews each case in depth and follows evidence-based protocols proven to reduce complications and improve survival.